FreeLists / bristol-birds / [Bristol-Birds] TOS Spring Meeting Field Trips

[Bill Grigsby <wgrigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Here are the field trips for the upcoming TOS spring meeting to be held 
in Bristol, May 4-6, 2007. If you have not registered or put in your 
reservation, please do so now. We look forward to seeing you. Here is 
the link to the meeting information 
http://www.tnbirds.org/Spring07-meeting.htm
Field Trip #1: Clinch Mountain Wildlife Management Area - VA
Clinch Mountain trends from SW to NE just west of Saltville, Virginia. 
The Wildlife Management Area contains 25,477 acres of montane forest, 
ranging from 2200 to 4700 feet in elevation. Mature-growth forests of 
oak and hickory, rhododendron thickets, beaver ponds, rushing streams, 
Laurel Bed Lake (at 3674 feet in elevation), meadows, shrublands and red 
spruce forest provide a great variety of habitat.
Among the many birds possible in this mix of habitats are: Wood thrush, 
Veery, Eastern wood Pewee, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated 
Green Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Cerulean Warbler, Magnolia 
Warbler, Golden-winged Warbler, Blue-winged Warbler, Louisiana 
Waterthrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Ruffed Grouse, Osprey, 
Bald Eagle, Wood Duck, Pied-billed Grebe, Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers.
Field Trip #2: Grayson Highlands State Park , VA
At an elevation of 3853’, the 4800 acres of parkland provide great 
birding opportunities. Habitats range from open meadows, northern 
hardwood forest, Fraser fir groves, red spruce forest, and rhododendron 
thickets to sphagnum bogs.
The habitat variety offers great birding opportunities including Alder 
and Willow Flycatcher at the Massie Gap rhododendron bog. Breeding birds 
include Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, 
Canada Warbler, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Vesper Sparrow, Scarlet Tanager, 
Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-capped Chickadee, Ruffed grouse and Wild 
Turkey. Migrants in the area should include: Red-eyed Vireo, Blue-headed 
Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, Veery, Hermit Thrush and more!
Field Trip #3A: White Top Mountain - VA
In Virginia, at 5520 feet elevation, White Top Mountain is second in 
elevation only to neighboring Mount Rogers. It is the highest mountain 
in Virginia accessible by automobile. The road meanders through eastern 
and northern hardwood forests, open meadows, mountain balds, 
birch-and-spruce forests and northern red spruce forests.
Near the top, park in the parking lot and walk the last leg of the road 
that curves to the mountain crest. Along the way, look for 
Chestnut-sided Warblers, Black-capped Chickadee, Dark-eyed Junco, 
Blue-headed Vireo, Black-throated Green Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, 
Brown Creeper and possible Red Crossbill.
Near the parking lot, short trails lead off into the forests and open 
meadows. Look here, also, for Golden-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Hermit 
Thrush, Eastern Towhee, American Goldfinch and Common Ravens.
3B. Beartree Lake/ Campground - VA*
This campground is at an elevation of 3033 feet and has three major 
divisions.
A) Beartree Lake is a small lake with a paved loop trail around it. 
Belted Kingfishers are there and migrants visit the trees around the 
edges.**
B) Open hardwood forest with hemlock groves and rhododendrons are around 
the Group Camping Area on left. Canada Warblers nest here.
C) The last or Main Campground has bird feeders that attract 
hummingbirds, woodpeckers, finches, chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows and 
other typical woodland feeder birds. The surrounding woods abound with 
Veery and other thrushes, warblers, vireos and flycatchers.
3C. Elk Garden - VA
This scenic area is at 4434 feet elevation with bold rock outcroppings 
and expansive mountain balds surrounded by deciduous, hardwood forests. 
Nesting birds include Vesper Sparrow, Common Raven, Red-tailed and 
Broad-winged Hawks, and several species of warblers and flycatchers
Field Trip #4: Steele Creek Park - Bristol, TN
Nearly 5 miles long and 2 miles wide, Steele Creek Park contains a large 
intact forest blanketing the Beaver Creek Knobs and a 53 acre lake 
formed by the damming of Steele Creek. Well maintained trails make even 
remote areas accessible to the birder.
The forests provide nesting habitat for neotropical songbirds such 
Acadian Flycatcher, Worm-eating Warbler, Louisiana Waterthrush and 
Scarlet Tanager. Other spring travelers are abundant in their northward 
migration. The lake is often visited by Green Heron, Yellow-crowned 
Night-Heron and Osprey. Wood Ducks breed within the park.
Field Trip #5: Roan Mountain - TN and NC
Roan Mountain rises to 6285 feet and sits astride the TN/NC border. Its 
crest is covered by grassy balds and stunted forests of buckeye, beech 
and fir trees, featuring Horned Lark, Vesper Sparrow and Common Raven. 
Two hundred acres of Catawba Rhododendron “gardens” create a magnificent 
purple cloak in June. Below the crest, the forested slopes provide a 
perfect setting for migratory and resident woodland species. Potential 
species include: Saw-whet Owl, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted 
Nuthatch, Winter Wren, Dark-eyed Junco, Alder Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided 
Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, 
Canada Warbler, Ovenbird, Kentucky warbler, Hooded Warbler, 
Golden-crowned Kinglet, Veery, Wood Thrush, Blue-headed Vireo, Indigo 
Bunting, Scarlet Tanager and Rose-breasted Grosbeak, etc.
Field Trip #6: Shady Valley, TN
Shady Valley features great mountain birding from 2,000 to 4,000 feet in 
Tennessee’s highest mountain valley at its most northern latitude. The 
primarily, riparian cove hardwood forests contain several territories of 
Swainson’s Warbler. Rare wild cranberry bogs have attracted Alder 
Flycatchers and American Woodcock. Elsewhere, the forests feature 
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green 
Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo and many more summer breeders and neotropical 
migrants.
Bill Grigsby
Kingsport, TN

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